Brazil into World Cup QF after win over Mexico

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Brazil is through to the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 win over Mexico in the Round of 16 on Monday.

After a goalless first-half, it was Brazil who took the lead in the 51st minute through talisman Neymar Jr. who tapped in a Willian cross.

Substitute Roberto Firmino added a second late in the match to secure the win for Brazil which sees the five-time winners through to the next round of the competition where they will play either Belgium or Japan.

In Monday’s other Round of 16 tie, Belgium came from behind to beat Japan 3-2 and advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Although Belgium dominated proceedings in the first-half, it was the Japanese who took a shock lead shortly after the start of the second-half through Genki Haraguchi before Takashi Inui doubled his team’s lead four minutes later.

Belgium pulled a goal back in the 69th minute through Jan Vertonghen moments before substitute Marouane Fellaini leveled the scores on 74 minutes.

It was heartbreak for Japan as Belgium scored in the last 30 seconds of the match, completing an incredible comeback. They play Brazil in the quarterfinals.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup takes place between June 14 and July 15 with 32 teams from five different confederations competing.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Peru, Costa Rica, Tunisia, Panama, Poland, Iran, Australia, Nigeria, Iceland, South Korea, Germany, Senegal, Poland, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Mexico, and Japan have been eliminated from the tournament.

The remaining Round of 16 ties are Sweden vs. Switzerland and England vs. Colombia, both to be played on Tuesday.

The teams in the quarterfinals are France, Uruguay, Russia, Croatia, Brazil, and Belgium.

The final will be played on July 15 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at 6:00 p.m. Erbil time.